Impulses

  By Herman M. Lagon It is a lament expressed with increasing regularity these days. Recently, it appeared again on my social media network — the faces of senators of the past, renowned for their brilliance, juxtaposed with pictures of senators of the present who are regularly ridiculed. This sharp contrast goes beyond a mere …

  By Herman M. Lagon There is always that one person in every workplace who seems to possess everything — charming, confident and constantly in the spotlight. However, a closer examination frequently reveals that this person’s apparent talent is a fluke. These impostors have the potential to erode trust and morale, creating a hostile work environment. …

  By Herman M. Lagon During a recent NAST-DOST hosted Sustainable Development Goals convention at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo, UP Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano challenged attendees, primarily scientists, technologists, educators, researchers, and policymakers, with a probing question: “How are we complicit to the inequalities of the world?” An issue that resonates …

  By Herman M. Lagon It is impossible not to reflect on the profound and underlying truths that its unexpected conclusion leaves behind as the curtain falls on “Young Sheldon,” a program that has gently nestled into the hearts of many people with its one-of-a-kind humor and significant lessons about life. As the program ends, …

  By Herman M. Lagon The House of Representatives’ recent passage of the Absolute Divorce Bill (House Bill 9349) on second reading has reignited the national divorce discussion. This critical milestone, reached by voice voting in a plenary session, moves the nation closer to giving couples stuck in unworkable marriages a legal option. My two-part series …

By Herman M. Lagon Disputes over political dynasties have raged since immemorial, sparking discussions about fairness, democracy and leadership. The truth is more complex than that which is sometimes presented when all political families are criticized at once. There are many good public officials and many folds more corrupt ones in politics, so there is …

  impulBy Herman M. Lagon In a world with so many seemingly sharp divisions and binary options, false dichotomies remind us to reconsider our assumptions and seek a more sophisticated understanding of life’s opportunities. Presenting more than two options as the sole ones is a logical fallacy called a false dichotomy. We risk missing out …

  By Herman M. Lagon The local markets of Iloilo are bustling hubs where culinary gems hide in plain sight, dried fish being one of the most prized. My routine walks through Terminal Market, Central Market and Barotac Nuevo Market reveal rows of dried fish laid out almost 24/7, a sight both humble and profoundly …

  By Dennis Gorecho Water is life. In Sigmund Freud’s “The Interpretation of Dreams,” birth is almost always represented by some reference to water. Either one plunges into water or climbs out of it, rescues someone from water or gets rescued from water (indicating a mother-like relationship to that person). Each culture has its own way of recognizing the …

  By Herman M. Lagon “Baby Reindeer,” a dark dive into the troubled waters of trauma and attachment, has become a talking point across living rooms worldwide. The other Sunday, my daughter Parvane and I settled in for what we thought would be a casual viewing. We nearly forgot our food as we watched the …